I would like to have top quality prints of some of my photos. I've tried every photo lab in my city and none produce acceptable product. (I have access to Canon IPF8300 large format printer but even this does not produce the top notch output I am looking for) I often use Posterjack here in Canada to order framed prints but I want to be offering only matted prints for sale. Posterjack does a fantastic job; they print on a thick Hahnemühle Photo Rag and I am yet to see a lab that does a better job. The problem, as is the case with all other online labs, is that there is not much flexibility when it comes to custum sizes. For example i want to order a a print with a large 2" border so that i can slide the sheet under a mat and trim it myself but Posterjack only cuts exact sizes.

I would like:

find a service in Canada (out of Canada shipping costs rule out any international service)

paper options with at least one option comparable to the Hahnemühle Photo Rag

Out of curiosity, what problems do you have when printing from the IPF8300? I have a Pro-1 (same LUCIA-12 ink as the IPF8300) and have gotten quite fantastic results, but I also have a fully ICC controlled workflow, including calibration on the printer.
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AJ HendersonJul 29 '14 at 13:47

1

I know that Vistek does good work, but you'd have to contact the Toronto lab directly to see about custom sizes (the online order form is pretty typical of the breed). They'll print on just about anything (Moab, Canson, Hahnemühle, Epson) and use a 9900/K3, so big's not a problem. Their professional services, in general, are pretty good.
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user28116Jul 29 '14 at 17:50

@AJHenderson - I print on the 8300 for my own use and it's good but not good enough for sale IMHO. I only want to offer the best possible print quality and the Hahnemühle paper prints I've been getting from my current service are just absolutely jaw-dropping awesome. I've been printing on plotters for a few years and when exposed to direct sun (my own testing on 2 HP and the Canon 8300) some prints fair better than others with the Canon IPF 8300 on a photo paper being the best but still showing significant deterioration after 2 years on the wall.
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JakubJul 31 '14 at 19:29

@Jakub - ah, so primarily in longevity. Gotcha. The photo papers I've used on my Pro-1 have held up well so far, but I haven't put any in direct sunlight for two years yet, just simulated torture tests. They held up well in those, but paper makes a big difference on longevity of pigment inks. Are you primarily interested in C-types then?
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AJ HendersonJul 31 '14 at 19:55

Sounds good and lots of options but holy expensive: 77.00 for a 16x20 print on a HAHNEMUHLE FINE ART paper. Posterjack offers 16x24 on the same paper for 24.99. I think I will just keep ordering from posterjack and alter the size of my custom mats instead.
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JakubJul 31 '14 at 19:22